PLANTING YOUR PALM

It is imperative that palms not to be transplanted any deeper than they were originally grown. The roots at the base of the trunk are extremely sensitive and planting too deeply will cause root suffocation, nutritional deficiencies, root rot disease and frequently loss of the palm.

The decline of deeply planted palms may take several years to become apparent, especially on very well-drained soils, but it can only be reversed by removing the backfill from the suffocated area around the roots or replanting the palm.

Soil around the root-ball should be compacted in stages. Fill up the hole to a third and then compact the soil around the base to stabilize the palm and remove any air pockets. If you are using a slow release fertilizer you can add this after compacting. Continue to add layers and compact as you work your way up to ground level. Once the palm is planted a berm should be mounded up at the periphery of the root ball to retain water during irrigation. The initial watering should be deep and thorough.

Filling the planting hole with water up the berm will be necessary two to three times to fully wet and settle the soil.